City fun runners set records

SOLID TEMPO: Competitors compete in the City to Surf run and walk. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

The pace was hot in the annual Mainfreight City to Surf and Bay of Plenty Times Surf to Surf events yesterday with a number of records set.

The number of competitors ballooned to 2100 this year, after 200 late entries.

The first three runners home in the City to Surf 12km men's run were all from Tauranga.

Tauranga triathlon coach Craig Kirkwood won in an impressive time of 37m 05secs, 52secs ahead of Ben Ruthe, and Henry Wallace came in at 38m 29secs.

Kirkwood's time was 2m 35secs faster than last year's winner Bobby Dean from Te Puke.

Arthur Atkins, from Tauranga, achieved back-to-back wins in the men's 5km Surf to Surf walk and cut 38secs off last year's time.

Mount Maunganui Joggers and Walkers won the 12km sports team event

Event organiser Charlotte Pearson said she was extremely pleased by the turnout.

"Last week we had 1900 pre-booked entries which was the same number as last year, and to get another 200 people turning up at the last minute was fantastic. Plus the weather couldn't have been better."